Control-article-based control of a user interface

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods of providing gesture-based control of a user interface are provided. For instance, a presence of a control article can be detected in a first proximity zone proximate a user device. Responsive to detecting the presence of the control article, presentation data corresponding to a presentation mode of a user interface associated with the user computing device can be provided for display. A presence of the control article can be detected in a second proximity zone proximate the user computing device. The second proximity zone can define a separate physical area than the first proximity zone. Responsive to detecting the presence of the control article in the second proximity zone, interactive data corresponding to an interactive mode of the user interface can be provided for display.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/080,293, filed Dec. 7, 2016, which is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 nationalstage filing of PCT International Application No. PCT/US2016/065295,filed Dec. 7, 2016, which, in turn, claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/336,947, filedMay 16, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to providing gesture-basedcontrol of a user interface associated with a user computing device.

BACKGROUND

As computing devices proliferate in homes, automobiles, and offices, theneed to seamlessly and intuitively control these devices becomesincreasingly important. For example, a user may desire to quickly andeasily control the user's media players, televisions, climate devices,etc. from wherever the user happens to be.

The use of gestures to interact with computing devices has becomeincreasingly common. Gesture recognition techniques have successfullyenabled gesture interaction with devices when these gestures are made todevice surfaces, such as touch screens for phones and tablets and touchpads for desktop computers. Users, however, are increasingly desiring tointeract with their devices through gestures not made to a surface, suchas through in-air gestures performed proximate a computing device.

SUMMARY

Aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will beset forth in part in the following description, or may be learned fromthe description, or may be learned through practice of the embodiments.

One example aspect of the present disclosure is directed to acomputer-implemented method of controlling operation of a computingdevice. The method includes detecting, by a user computing device, apresence of a control article in a first proximity zone proximate theuser computing device. The method further includes responsive todetecting the presence of the control article in the first proximityzone, providing for display, by the user computing device, presentationdata corresponding to a presentation mode of a user interface associatedwith the user computing device. The method further includes detecting,by the user computing device, a presence of the control article in asecond proximity zone proximate the user computing device. The secondproximity zone defines a separate physical area than the first proximityzone. The method further includes responsive to detecting the presenceof the control article in the second proximity zone, providing fordisplay, by the user computing device, interactive data corresponding toan interactive mode of the user interface.

Other example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems,apparatus, tangible, non-transitory computer-readable media, userinterfaces, memory devices, and electronic devices for providinggesture-based control of a user interface.

For example, embodiments of the invention may provide acomputer-implemented method of controlling operation of a user computingdevice, by a user moving or manipulating a control article, such as apart of their body or a separate object such as a stylus, wherein theuser computing device is configured to provide a graphical userinterface having at least a data presentation mode and an interactivemode. The method then comprises detecting if the control article is in afirst proximity zone or a second proximity zone, for example these zonesbeing defined relative to the device and being proximal to the device.

If the control article is detected to be in the first proximity zonethen the data presentation mode is used for the graphical userinterface. In this mode the data displayed may depend, for example, onposition of the control article within the first proximity zone but noton control gestures made with the control article by the user. If thecontrol article is detected to be in the second proximity zone then theinteractive mode is used for the graphical user interface. The devicemay be configured such that in this mode the user may control thegraphical user interface using gestures made with the control article,for example thereby controlling one or more actions of the device.

The data presentation mode and interactive mode may be mutuallyexclusive in the sense that the device is arranged to present only oneof these modes to the user at any one time. Similarly, the first andsecond proximity zones may be mutually exclusive in the sense that thedevice is arranged to determine the control article to be in only one ofthese zones at any one time, and optionally to be in neither of thesezones, and optionally to be in one or more further zones to which thedevice may respond with different functionality or modes of thegraphical user interface.

The control article may be any suitable article or object or part ofsuch article or object suitable for being detected and for performingcontrol gestures recognizable by the user device. For example, thecontrol article could be a finger, hand, head, eye, arm, etc. of a user,or an object held by the user such as a stylus.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of various embodimentswill become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the present disclosure and, together with thedescription, serve to explain the related principles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Detailed discussion of embodiments directed to one of ordinary skill inthe art are set forth in the specification, which makes reference to theappended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an example system for providinggesture-based control of a user interface according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 depicts an example proximity zone configuration according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 3-8 depict example display configurations according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example method of providinggesture-based control of a user interface according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure

FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of an example method of providing fordisplay presentation data according to example embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of an example control gesture setaccording to example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 12 depicts an example system according to example embodiments ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments, one or moreexamples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example isprovided by way of explanation of the embodiments, not limitation of thepresent disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that various modifications and variations can be made to theembodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the presentdisclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that aspects of the presentdisclosure cover such modifications and variations.

Example aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providinggesture-based control of a user interface associated with a usercomputing device (e.g. user device). For instance, the user device candetect a presence of a control article in one or more proximity zonesproximate the user device, and can display data based at least in parton the presence of the control article within the proximity zones. Theuser interface associated with the user device can include one or morecontrol modes. As an example, the user device can detect a presence ofthe control article in a first proximity zone, and in response, canprovide for display presentation data corresponding to a presentationcontrol mode of the user interface. The user device can further detect apresence of the user in a second proximity zone, an in response, canprovide for display interactive data corresponding to an interactioncontrol mode of the user interface.

More particularly, the user device can be a wearable computing device,smartphone, tablet, laptop computing device, desktop computing device,or any other suitable user device. The user device can be configured tomonitor a motion of a control article (e.g. a hand of the user, an eyeof the user, a head of the user, a stylus or other object controlled bythe user and/or any other suitable control article) proximate the userdevice, and to determine one or more display configurations of the userinterface based at least in part on the motion of the control article.In some implementations, the user device can include a radar moduleembedded within the user device configured to emit radio frequency (RF)energy in a direction of a target, and to receive return signalsindicative of energy reflected back to the user device by a plurality ofscattering points associated with the target. The radar module caninclude one or more antenna elements configured to transmit and/orreceive RF energy. The received return signals can be used to detect apresence of the user and/or control article, to monitor a motion of theuser and/or control article, and/or to determine one or more controlgestures performed by the control article.

As indicated, the data displayed by the user interface of the userdevice can be determined based at least in part on a location of thecontrol article relative to the user device. For instance, one or moreproximity zones can be established proximate the user device. Theproximity zones can be determined based at least in part on an antennabeam pattern formed by the one or more antenna elements associated withthe user device. In some implementations, each proximity zone can have acorresponding control mode associated with the user interface. Forinstance, the first proximity zone can correspond to a presentation modeassociated with the user interface, and the second proximity zone cancorrespond to an interactive mode associated with the user interface. Inthis manner, the user device can determine a control mode in which tooperate based at least in part on a location of the control articlerelative to the user device. For instance, upon detection of the controlarticle in the first proximity zone, the user device can operate in thepresentation mode. As another example, upon detection of the controlarticle in the second proximity zone, the user device can operate in theinteractive mode.

While operating in the presentation mode, the user interface can displaypresentation display data associated with one or more applicationsimplemented by the user device. For instance, the user device canimplement or otherwise be associated with one or more applications. Suchapplications can include one or more messaging applications, weatherapplications, notification applications, calendar applications, and/orvarious other suitable applications. In implementations wherein the usercomputing device is a wearable computing device, such as a smartwatch,the applications associated with the user interface can appear ascomplications on or otherwise associated with the smartwatch face. Insome implementations, the presentation data can be non-interactive dataassociated with an application hosted by the user device. In thismanner, a user of the user device may not be able to interact with thepresentation data. As a non-limiting example, the presentation data caninclude non-interactive data associated with a messaging application.Such data can include data associated with one or more email messages,SMS messages, instant messages, and/or other suitable electronicmessages received by the user device.

While operating in the interactive mode, the user interface can displayinteractive display data associated with one or more availableapplications hosted by the user device, such that a user of the userdevice can interact with the data and/or the user interface. Forinstance, the interactive data can include icons or other indicatorsassociated with the one or more available applications associated withthe user device. Similar to the presentation mode, in someimplementations, the icons or other indicators can appear ascomplications associated with a smartwatch face. The user may be able toscroll or cycle through the one or more applications, select the one ormore applications, scroll or cycle within a selected application, selectone or more or user interface elements within an application, and/orperform any other suitable interactions with the interactive data. Forinstance, a user device according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure may include a messaging application, a weather applicationand a notification application. While the user device is operating inthe interactive mode (e.g. in response to a detection of a presence ofthe control article in the second proximity zone), the user may scrollthrough the included applications and select an application to cause theapplication to run on the user device. The user may further interactwith a running application by scrolling or cycling through theapplication, or selecting one or more user interface elements associatedwith the application.

In some implementations, the user can interact with the user devicethrough the use of one or more control gestures. For instance, thecontrol gestures can include in-air gestures performed by the controlarticle proximate the user device (e.g. while the control article islocated in the second proximity zone). The control gestures cancorrespond to in-air movement patterns performed by the control article.In this manner, the user device can be configured to detect aperformance of a control gesture, and to perform one or more actions inresponse to the detection. In some implementations, the user device canbegin monitoring for control gesture performances in response todetecting the presence of the control article in the second proximityzone.

The user device can have a set of predetermined control gestures forwhich the user device will be responsive. For instance, the user devicecan store data indicative of such control gesture set and one or morecorresponding actions to respectively perform in response to detectionof a performance of a control gesture. In this manner, the user devicecan compare a detected movement pattern performed by the control articleto determine a match between the movement pattern and a control gesturefrom the set of control gestures. If a match is determined, the userdevice can perform an action or operation corresponding to the controlgesture.

In some implementations, the presentation data displayed in response toa detection of the control article in the first proximity zone can bedetermined based at least in part on a location of the control articlewithin the first proximity zone. As indicated above, such presentationdata can correspond to one or more applications that appear ascomplications associated with a user interface displayed on a smartwatchface. For instance, the first proximity zone may include one or moresubzones located within the first proximity zone. In someimplementations, the number of subzones can be determined based at leastin part on an amount of information to be displayed. For instance, afirst application may have a first number of subzones based at least inpart on an amount of information associated with the first applicationand a second application may have a second number of subzones based atleast in part on an amount of information associated with the secondapplication. The user device can determine a presence of the controlarticle within the one or more subzones, and can determine presentationdata to display based at least in part on the location of the controlarticle relative to the one or more subzones. For instance, if thecontrol article is located within a first subzone of the first proximityzone, the user device can provide for display first presentation data(e.g. one or more complications). If the control article is locatedwithin a second subzone of the first proximity zone, the user device canprovide for display second presentation data (e.g. one or morecomplications). In this manner, the presentation data displayed by theuser device can vary with the location of the control article within thefirst proximity zone.

As an example, a user device, such as a smartwatch device, can detectthe control article within the first subzone while a messagingapplication associated with the smartwatch device is running. Thesmartwatch device can determine first presentation data associated withthe messaging application to be displayed. The first presentation datacan include or otherwise be associated with data associated with one ormore complications displayed by the user interface of the smartwatchdevice. For instance, the first presentation data can include dataindicative of one or more messages received (e.g. unread messages) bythe user device, such as an identification of a sender of the one ormore messages and/or an indication of the number of messages. As thecontrol article moves towards the user device into the second subzone,the user device can detect the control article within the secondsubzone. The user device can determine and provide for display secondpresentation data associated with the messaging application. The secondpresentation data can include or otherwise be associated with additionalor different data associated with the one or more complications. Forinstance, the second presentation data may include at least a portion ofa body (e.g. the first 10 words of the message body) of a receivedmessage.

In some implementations, the presentation data can be provided fordisplay in a progressive manner, such that additional or differentinformation is provided for display in response to an approach of thecontrol article towards the user device. For instance, the density ofdisplayed information can gradually increase as the control articleapproaches the use device. As an example, a number of complicationsand/or data associated with a complication can increase as the controlarticle approaches the user device. In this manner, the user can controlthe amount of information and/or the type of information displayed basedat least in part on a distance of the control article from the usedevice. The user can position the control article at one or morelocations relative to the user device to facilitate display of desiredinformation. For instance, if the user desires to interact with thedata, the user may position the control article within the secondproximity zone. If the user desires merely to view informationassociated with an application (e.g. a number of unread messages), theuser may position the control article in the first proximity zone (e.g.in an appropriate subzone of the first proximity zone). In this manner,while operating in presentation mode, the user device can respond to alocation of the control article. While operating in interactive mode,the user device can respond to a control gesture performed by thecontrol article.

In some implementations, feedback may be provided to the user tofacilitate an understanding by the user of a status or operating mode ofthe user device. For instance, visual or audio feedback may be providedto the user to indicate to the user that the user has crossed athreshold to enter the first or second proximity zone, and/or one ormore subzones. For instance, the user interface may include a progressbar indicative of a distance or location of the control article relativeto the user device and/or to one or more proximity zones or subzonesassociated with the user device. Such progress bar can progress orregress as the distance between the control article and the user deviceprogresses and regresses. As another example, the user interface mayprovide a lighting pattern and/or varying lighting brightness toindicate that the user device is operating in a particular control mode.In some implementations, one or more audio tones may be played by theuser device to provide various indications to the user.

The user device can further operate in a standby control mode. Forinstance, the user device can operate in the standby mode when the userdevice does not detect a presence of the control article (e.g. in thefirst or second proximity zones). While operating in standby mode, theuser device can provide for display standby data associated with theuser device. Such standby data can include data associated with the userdevice, such as battery life, connection data, notification data, and/orother data. In some implementations, the standby data can includetemporal data indicative of a current time and/or data. For instance, insuch implementations, the user interface may be configured as a watchface having an hour hand and a minute hand, or other temporal indicator.While operating in standby mode, the user device can monitor for acontrol article. When the user device detects a presence of the controlarticle, the user device can exit standby mode and operate inpresentation mode or interactive mode (e.g. depending on the location ofthe detected control article).

With reference now to the figures, example embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be discussed in greater detail. For instance, FIG. 1depicts an example system 100 for providing gesture-based control of auser interface according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. System 100 includes a user device 102 and a control article104. Control article 104 can include any suitable article or objectcapable of performing control gestures recognizable by user device 102.In some implementations, control article can be a limb or other bodypart associated with a user. For instance, control article 104 can be ahand, head, eye, arm, etc. of the user. In some implementations, controlarticle can be an object capable of being carried by the user, such as astylus or other object.

User device 102 can be any suitable user computing device, such as asmartphone, tablet, wearable computing device (e.g. smartwatch), laptopcomputing device, desktop computing device, or any other suitable usercomputing device. User device 102 includes a sensing module 106, agesture manager 108, an interface manager 110, and a motion tracker 112.In some implementations, sensing module 106 can include one or moresensing devices such as one or more optical cameras, infrared cameras,capacitive sensors, inductive sensors, and/or various other suitablesensing devices. In some implementations, sensing module 106 can be aradar module. For instance, sensing module 106 can include one or moreantenna elements configured to emit and/or receive RF energy signals.For instance, such RF energy signals can be propagated in a directiondetermined by an antenna beam pattern formed by the one or more antennaelements. In some implementations, the RF energy signals can bepropagated in a general direction of control article 104. In thismanner, the propagated energy signals can be absorbed or scattered bycontrol article 104. The energy signals coherently scattered back in adirection of user device 102 can be intercepted by the (receiving)antenna elements.

The received energy signals can be provided to motion tracker 112.Motion tracker 112 can be configured to monitor a motion of controlarticle 104. For instance, motion tracker 112 can determine a motionprofile associated with control article 104. The motion profile caninclude information associated with the motion of the control articleduring one or more time periods. For instance, the motion profile caninclude velocity data, location data (e.g. radial distance, spatialcoordinates), and/or other data associated with the motion of thecontrol article during the one or more time periods. In this manner,temporal changes associated with the motion of the control article canbe tracked or otherwise monitored.

The motion profile can be used to control a user interface provided fordisplay by user device 102. For instance, the motion profile can be usedto detect a presence of control article 104 within one or more proximityzones or subzones proximate user device 102. For instance, user device102 may have one or more associated proximity zones having predeterminedboundaries determined based at least in part on an antenna beam patternor other sensing pattern associated with sensing module 106. Detectionof a presence of control article 104 in a proximity zone can triggeruser device 102 to operate in a particular control mode. For instance,motion tracker 112 can detect a presence of control article 104 within aparticular proximity zone by comparing location data (e.g. spatialcoordinates, radial distance, etc.) to a location of the one or moreboundaries of a proximity zone.

As indicated, a control mode in which user device 102 operates can bedetermined based at least in part on the location of control article 104relative to the predetermined proximity zones. For instance, interfacemanager 110 can control user device 102 to operate in a particularcontrol mode. In some implementations, interface manager 110 can controluser device 102 to operate in a standby mode, a presentation mode, or aninteractive mode based at least in part on the location of controlarticle 104 relative to a first proximity zone and a second proximityzone.

The second proximity zone can be a physical area or region adjacent touser device 102, and the first proximity zone can be a physical area orregion adjacent to the second proximity zone, such that the secondproximity zone separates the first proximity zone and user device 102.As indicated, the boundaries of the first and second proximity zones canbe determined based at least in part on an antenna beam patternassociated with sensing module 106. For instance, the boundaries of thesecond proximity zone can be determined such that user device 102 candetect control gestures performed by control article 104 to a sufficientdegree while control article 104 is located within the second proximityzone. Similarly, the boundaries of the first proximity zone can bedetermined such that user device 102 can sufficiently track a motion ofcontrol article 104 while control article 104 is located in the firstproximity zone. Proximity zones can have any suitable shape. In someimplementations, the shape of the proximity zones can be determinedbased at least in part on the antenna beam pattern.

As indicated, interface manager 110 can coordinate or regulate data tobe displayed on a display device associated with user device 102 basedat least in part on a presence of control article 104 within the firstproximity zone or the second proximity zone. For instance, interfacemanager 110 can control user device 102 to operate in a standby modewhen control article 104 cannot be detected in the first or secondproximity zone. The standby mode can include a provision for display onthe user interface of standby data, such as temporal data associatedwith a current date or time. When control article 104 is detected withinthe first proximity zone, interface manager 110 can control user device102 to operate in a presentation mode. The presentation mode can includea provision for display of non-interactive data associated with anapplication currently running on user device 102. For instance, thecurrently running application can be the application with which the userlast interacted with. The presentation mode can include a progressivereveal of data associated with the application based at least in part ona location of control article 104 within the first proximity zone. Forinstance, as control article 104 approaches user device 102, additionalpresentation display data can be provided for display. For instance, theadditional data can replace previously displayed data, or the additionaldata can be new data displayed in addition to the previously displayeddata such that the additional data and the previously displayed data aredisplayed simultaneously. When control article 104 crosses a thresholdor boundary separating the first proximity zone and the second proximityzone, interface manager 110 can control user device 102 to operate in aninteractive mode. The interactive mode can include a provision fordisplay of interactive data, such that the user can interact with ormanipulate the data as displayed by the use interface. For instance, theinteractive data can be associated with one or more availableapplications associated with user device 102. For instance, the user canscroll through and select an application to cause the selectedapplication to run on user device 102. The user can then interact withdata within the selected application. As indicated, the user caninteract with such interactive data through a performance of one or morecontrol gestures. For instance, the user can cause control article 104to move in accordance with one or more movement patterns to prompt userdevice 102 to perform one or more actions.

While user device 102 is operating in the interactive control mode (e.g.while control article 104 is located in the second proximity zone),gesture manager 108 can be configured to determine a control gesture(e.g. in-air hand gesture) performed by control article 104. Forinstance, gesture manager 108 can access gesture data 114 to match amovement pattern performed by control article 104 with a control gestureassociated with gesture data 114. In particular, gesture data 114 caninclude a set of predetermined control gestures. Each predeterminedcontrol gesture can be mapped to an action or operation to be performedby user device 102 in response to recognition of a movement patternperformed by control article 104 that matches the control gesture. Inthis manner, gesture manager 108 can compare the determined motionprofile associated with control article 104 against gesture data 114 todetermine if the motion profile matches a predetermined control gesture.When the motion profile matches a control gesture, user device 102 canperform the action or operation corresponding to the matched controlgesture.

The control gestures can include a motion component. For instance, inimplementations wherein control article 104 is a hand of the user, acontrol gesture may correspond to some predetermined movement of thehand and/or the digits of the hand, such as hand and/or digittranslation, rotation, extension, flexion, abduction, opposition orother movement. As another example, in implementations wherein controlarticle 104 is the head of the user, a control gesture can correspond tosome predetermined movement of the head, such as an extension, rotation,bending, flexion or other movement. As yet another example, inimplementations, wherein control article 104 is an external object, suchas a stylus carried by the user, a control gesture can correspond tosome predetermined motion pattern of the stylus. In someimplementations, gesture manager 108 can be configured to recognizegestures performed by a plurality of control articles. For instance,gesture manager 108 can be configured to recognize a first controlgesture as performed by a user hand, and a second control gestureperformed by a user head. In this manner, gesture data 114 can includecontrol gestures associated with each of the plurality of controlarticles.

Movement patterns performed by various components of control article 104can be observed individually. For instance, movements associated witheach finger of a hand can be individually monitored. In someimplementations, the motion of one or more components of control article104 can be tracked relative to one or more other components of controlarticle 104. For instance, movement of a first digit of a hand can betracked relative to movement of a second digit of the hand.

In some implementations, gesture data 114 can include data associatedwith a representative model of control article 104. For instance,gesture data 114 can include a model of a human hand that providesrelational positional data for a hand and/or digits of the hand. In someimplementations, such control article model can facilitate predictivetracking even when parts of control article 104 are not visible. Forinstance, in such implementations, signals associated with the visibleparts of control article 104 can be used in conjunction with the controlarticle model and/or past observations of control article 104 todetermine one or more likely positions of the parts of control article104 that are not currently visible.

FIG. 2 depicts an example proximity zone configuration 120 according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure. Proximity zoneconfiguration 120 includes a first proximity zone 122 and a secondproximity zone 124. As shown, first proximity zone 122 can correspond toa far zone and second proximity zone 124 can correspond to a near zonerelative to user device 102. Second proximity zone 124 extends outwardlyfrom user device 102 and first proximity zone 122 extends outwardly fromsecond proximity zone 124. In this manner, second proximity zone 124 candefine a separate physical or spatial area than first proximity zone122. Detection of control article 104 (e.g. as depicted in FIG. 1 )within the proximity zone configuration 120 can trigger one or moreactions by user device 102.

The zone configuration 120 can be determined based at least in part onsensing module 106. For instance, the zone configuration 120 can bedetermined based at least in part on an antenna beam pattern formed bythe one or more antenna elements of sensing module 106. The antenna beampattern can represent an area proximate user device 102 in which userdevice 102 is capable of detecting or sensing objects. For instance, theantenna elements can emit RF energy signals in the general shape of theantenna beam pattern, and objects within the antenna beam pattern can beobserved by user device 102. The proximity zone configuration 120 canform one or more partitions of the antenna beam pattern. In this manner,the shape and size of first proximity zone 122 and/or second proximityzone 124 can be determined based at least in part on the antenna beampattern. For instance, first proximity zone 122 can form a firstpartition of the antenna beam pattern and second proximity zone 124 canform a second partition of the antenna beam pattern. In this manner, thevarious partitions defining the proximity zone configuration 120 cansubstantially define the antenna beam pattern. It will be appreciatedthat various other interaction zone arrangements can be used withoutdeviating from the scope of the present disclosure, such as a proximityzone configuration that defines a portion of the antenna beam pattern.For instance, although first proximity zone 122 and second proximityzone 124 are depicted as rectangular in shape, such depiction isintended for illustrative purposes only. One or more proximity zonesaccording to example embodiments of the present disclosure can havevarious other suitable shapes and/or sizes.

In some implementations, when control article 104 is detected withinfirst proximity zone 122, user device 102 can begin monitoring themotion of control article 104. For instance, user device 102 candetermine a motion profile associated with control article 104. Further,detection of control article 104 in first proximity zone 122 can triggeroperation of user device 102 in a presentation mode. As indicated, thepresentation mode can include a display of non-interactive presentationdata on a user interface associated with user device 102. Thepresentation data can include data associated with a currently runningapplication associated with user device 102. As indicated, in someimplementations, the presentation data can be provided for display in aprogressive manner based at least in part on a variation of location ofcontrol article 104 within first proximity zone 122.

In some implementations, first proximity zone 122 can include one ormore subzones located within first proximity zone 122. For instance, theone or more subzones can partition at least a portion of first proximityzone 122. The subzones can be used to trigger the provision of displayof presentation data. In some implementations, the subzones cancorrespond to distance thresholds within proximity zone 122. Forinstance, user device 102 can provide for display first presentationdata in response to a detection of control article 104 within a firstsubzone 126. The first presentation data can include first display dataassociated with the currently running application. For instance, if thecurrently running application is a weather application, the firstdisplay data may include a current temperature associated with one ormore geographical regions.

In response to a detection of control article 104 within a secondsubzone 128, user device 102 can provide for display second presentationdata. The second presentation data can include second display dataassociated with the currently running application. For instance, if theweather application is the currently running application, the seconddisplay data may include a current status of weather in the one or moregeographic regions. For instance, the second display data can specify acurrent sky coverage status (sunny, partly cloudy, mostly cloudy, etc.),a precipitation status, and/or other display data. In someimplementations, the second display data can include an estimatedduration of the current status. The second display data can be providedfor display in addition to the first display data or as a replacement tothe first display data. For instance, in some implementations, the firstdisplay data and the second display data can be simultaneouslydisplayed. In alternative implementations, in response to controlarticle 104 entering second subzone 128 from first subzone 126, thefirst display data can be removed from display and replaced by thesecond display data.

In response to a detection of control article 104 within a third subzone130, user device 102 can provide for display third presentation data.The third presentation data can include third display data associatedwith the currently running application. For instance, if the weatherapplication is the currently running application, the third display datamay include additional information related to the current weather, suchas a forecast, or notable expected upcoming weather events. The thirddisplay data may be displayed in addition to the first display dataand/or the second display data or as a replacement to the first displaydata and/or the second display data.

As indicated, the provision for display of the various presentation datacan implement a progressive “rollout” of the data. For instance, ascontrol article 104 approaches or retreats from user device 102, thevarious presentation data can be displayed or removed from display in aresponsive, intuitive manner to provide an affordance to the userassociated with the interaction of the user with user device 102. Insome implementations, the presentation data can be “rolled” onto thedisplay device to simulate a scrolling of the display data relative tothe display device. For instance, a first portion of the presentationdata can be displayed prior to a second portion of the presentationdata. The first portion can be translated in one or more directionsrelative to the user interface to allow room for the second portion ofthe presentation data. For instance, the presentation data can beprovided in a list format, each entry of the list being scrolled on andoff the screed based at least in part on the location of control article104 in relation to user device 102. For instance, the data can bescrolled in a forward direction as control article 104 approaches userdevice 102, and in a reverse direction as control article 104 retreatsfrom user device 102.

As control article 104 moves into second proximity zone 124, user device102 can initiate operation in an interactive mode. The interactive modecan allow for an interaction by user with the user interface. Asindicated, the interaction can be provided through the performance ofcontrol gestures by control article 104. For instance, while controlarticle 104 is located in second proximity zone 124, user device 102 canmonitor for control gestures performed by control article 104.

For instance, user device 102 can compare the motion profile associatedwith control article 104 to gesture data 114 to determine a matchbetween a movement pattern of control article 104 and a control gestureassociated with gesture data 114. If a match is determined, user device102 can interpret the movement pattern of control article 104 as acontrol gesture, and can determine one or more actions or operations toperform in response to the performance of the control gesture. In someimplementations, a match can be found between the movement pattern and acontrol gesture by based at least in part on a level at which userdevice 102 is certain that the movement pattern was intended to be acontrol gesture. For instance, user device 102 can compare the movementpattern against gesture data 114 to determine a percentage of likelihood(e.g. certainty) that the movement pattern was intended to be a controlgesture. If the percentage of likelihood is greater than a threshold, amatch can be determined.

In response to detection of a performance of a control gesture bycontrol article 104, user device 102 can perform one or morecorresponding actions or operations. For instance, such actions oroperations can include user interface control actions. The userinterface control actions can be contextual based at least in part on acurrent context of the user interface. In this manner, the controlgestures can be configured to allow a user to navigate through the userinterface to view or manipulate information displayed on the userinterface. For instance, actions to be performed in response to thecontrol gestures can include scroll actions, selection actions, zoomactions, and/or other suitable user interface control actions. In thismanner, the user can navigate through one or more applicationsassociated with user device 102, and can select an application to causethe application to run on user device 102 through the performance ofcontrol gestures (e.g. in-air hand gestures). The user may then be ableto navigate through the selected application to view or manipulate datawithin the application.

When control article 104 is removed from second proximity zone 124, userdevice 102 can cease monitoring for control gestures. In someimplementations, the application that the user was interacting withimmediately prior to the removal of control article 104 from secondproximity zone 124 can remain running on the user device. In thismanner, when control article 104 is subsequently detected within firstproximity zone 122, user device 102 can provide for display presentationdata associated with such currently running application.

As indicated above, when control article 104 is not detected withinfirst proximity zone 122 or second proximity zone 124, user device 102can operate in a standby mode. While operating in the standby mode, userdevice 102 can provide for display standby data on the user interface.Such standby data can include temporal information associated with acurrent date and time or other information. In some implementations, thestandby data can be configured to simulate a face of a watch.

It will be appreciated that proximity zone configuration 120 is depictedfor illustrative purposes only. For instance, various other proximityzone configurations can be used without deviating from the scope of thepresent disclosure. In particular, various other suitable proximity zoneconfigurations having various other proximity zone amounts, sizes,shapes, etc. can be used without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, one or more proximity zones may include anysuitable number of subzones. As indicated above, the amount of subzonesmay be determined based at least in part on an amount of display data tobe displayed, and/or a desired manner in which the display data is to bedisplayed. For instance, the subzones can be configured to allow for a“rollout” of data in a progressive manner, such that a desired number ofdata iterations (e.g. first, second, third, etc. presentation data) aredisplayed.

FIGS. 3-8 depict example display configurations of an example userinterface 200 according to example embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As shown, user interface 200 can be associated with awearable computing device such as a smartwatch. In particular, userinterface 200 can be displayed on a display device associated with aface of the smartwatch. However, it will be appreciated that variousother suitable user interfaces associated with various other suitableuser devices can be used without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure. Such display configurations of user interface 200 can bedetermined based at least in part on a location of control article 104relative to user device 102. For instance, in some implementations, suchdisplay configurations can be determined based at least in part on apresence of control article 104 within proximity zone configuration 120depicted in FIG. 2 .

For instance, FIG. 3 depicts display configuration 202 displayed on userinterface 200. Display configuration 202 can correspond to a standbymode of user device 102. As shown, display configuration 202 includesstandby data configured as a watch face specifying a current time. Forinstance, display configuration 202 depicts a watch face having a minutehand and an hour hand specifying a current time. Display configuration202 can be displayed on user interface 202 when control article 104 isnot detected within a proximity zone configuration, such as proximityzone configuration 120 or other proximity zone configuration associatedwith user device 102.

When user device 102 detects control article 104 within first proximityzone 122, user device 102 can initiate operation in a presentation mode.For instance, FIG. 4 depicts display configuration 204 associated withuser interface 200. Display configuration 204 can correspond to thepresentation mode configured to display non-interactive data associatedwith a currently running messaging application. In this manner, displayconfiguration 204 can display first presentation data associated withuser interface 200. For instance, when user device 102 detects controlarticle 104 within first proximity zone 122, user device 102 can providefor display presentation data associated with display configuration 204.Such presentation data includes an application icon 205. Applicationicon 205 is associated with the messaging application installed on userdevice 102 As shown, application icon 205 can correspond to acomplication associated with user interface 200 displayed on the watchface. As shown, application icon 205 includes or is otherwise associatedwith message indicators 206, and sender identifiers 208 associated withthe messaging application. In this manner, display configuration 204 canprovide a user with first presentation data indicative of an initialindication of unread or received messages. In some implementations,message indicators 206 and/or sender identifiers 208 can be scrolledonto user interface 200 based at least in part on the location ofcontrol article 104. For instance, message indicators 206 and/or senderidentifiers can be configured to scroll on or off of user interface 200on an individual basis as control article 104 approaches or retreatsfrom user device 102.

As an example, as control article 104 approaches user device 102 themessage indicator 206 and/or sender identifier 208 associated with themessage from Todd can be displayed on user interface 200 prior to themessage indicator 206 and/or sender identifier 208 associated with themessages from Ivan and Timo. In some implementations, the messages canbe listed in the order of arrival of the messages. In someimplementations, the message indicator 206 and/or sender identifier 208can be scrolled off of user interface 200 to make room for one or moreadditional message indicators and/or sender identifiers to be displayed.

As control article 104 approaches user device 102, user device 102 candisplay additional or different presentation data. For instance, FIG. 5depicts an example display configuration 210. Display configuration 210can correspond to second presentation data displayed on user interface200 while operating in the presentation mode. As shown, the secondpresentation data can include additional data to the first presentationdata corresponding to display configuration 204. The second presentationdata can be presentation data associated with application icon 205. Forinstance, the second presentation data includes a message preview 212depicting a portion of the message from Timo. The second presentationdata further includes a timing of receipt indicator 214.

The first presentation data of display configuration 204 and the secondpresentation data of 206 can be displayed based at least in part on alocation of control article 104 with first proximity zone 122. Forinstance, the first presentation data can be displayed while controlarticle 104 is present in subzone 126 and the second presentation datacan be displayed when control article 104 crosses into subzone 128. Insome implementations, display of the first and second presentation datacan be triggered by a crossing of control article 104 of one or moredistance thresholds associated with first proximity zone 122.

When control article 104 enters second proximity zone 124, user device102 can initiate operation in the interactive mode. While in interactivemode user device 102 can provide for display interactive data on userinterface 200. For instance, FIG. 6 depicts display configuration 216.Display configuration 216 can correspond to the interactive mode of userdevice 102. When control article 104 enters second proximity zone 124,user device 102 can begin monitoring for control gestures. Upondetection of a performance of a control gesture by control article 104,user device 102 can perform one or more user interface actions based onthe detected control gesture.

As shown, display configuration 216 depicts the message preview 212.Display configuration 216 further depicts application icons 218 and 220.Application icons 218 and 220 can correspond to applications installedon user device 102. Similar to application icon 205, application icons218 and 220 appear a complications associated with the smartwatch face.Display configuration 216 further depicts temporal indicators 222. Forinstance, temporal indicators correspond to the watch hands of thetemporal data depicted in display configuration 202. Temporal indicatorscan move as watch hands move to reflect the changing time.

While operating in the interactive mode, user device 102 can acceptcontrol gesture inputs as performed control article 104, and can controluser interface 200 based at least in part on the control gestures. Asindicated, each control gesture of a predetermined set of controlgestures can correspond to a contextual user interface control action tobe performed in response to a detection of a performance of the controlgesture by control article 104. For instance, the user can performcontrol gestures (e.g. by manipulation of control article 104) to promptthe user device to control user interface 200 in a desired manner. Forinstance, the user can interact with the messaging application to selectone or more messages to display in full. As shown in FIG. 7 , upon aselection of a message, user device 102 can provide for display theentire message. FIG. 7 depicts an example display configuration 224. Forinstance, user device 102 can provide for display message body 226corresponding to the message preview 212 associated with the messagereceived from Timo. In some implementations, the user can scroll orcycle through one or more additional received messages (e.g. themessages received from Ivan and/or Todd) such that the entirety of suchadditional messages are displayed on user interface 202.

Referring back to FIG. 6 , the user may also navigate through toapplication icons 218 and 220 (e.g. through performance of controlgestures). For instance, FIG. 8 depicts display configuration 228.Display configuration 228 depicts application icon 218 subsequent to aperformance of a control gesture by control article 104 to prompt ascroll through to application icon 218. As shown, application icon 218corresponds to a weather application. Upon scrolling through toapplication icon 218, a preview 230 of the weather application can bedisplayed on user interface 200. The user can then select applicationicon 218 to prompt user device 102 to open the weather application tocause the weather application to run on user device 102. Opening of theweather application can trigger additional interactive data associatedwith the weather application to be displayed on user interface 200. Theuser can then interact with the weather application in a desired manner.

As indicated above, it will be appreciated that various other userinterfaces can be used having various other display configurationswithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Forinstance, various user interfaces associated with various user devicescan be used, and can be controlled using various suitable controlgestures. In addition, various other suitable presentation and/orinteractive data associated with various other suitable applications canbe displayed within the user interface.

FIG. 9 depicts a flow diagram of an example method (300) of providinggesture-based control of a user interface according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. Method (300) can be implementedby one or more computing devices, such as one or more of the computingdevices depicted in FIG. 12 . In addition, FIG. 9 depicts stepsperformed in a particular order for purposes of illustration anddiscussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosuresprovided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methodsdiscussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, ormodified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

At (302), method (300) can include providing for display standby datacorresponding to a standby mode of a user interface associated with auser device. For instance, the standby data can include temporal dataassociated with a current time and/or data, or other data. In someimplementations, the user device can operate in standby mode when theuser device does not detect a control article. As indicated above, acontrol article can be an article or object configured to performcontrol gestures to control operation of the user device.

At (304), method (300) can include detecting a presence of the controlarticle in a first proximity zone proximate the user device. The firstproximity zone can be included within a proximity zone configurationhaving one or more proximity zones. The first proximity zone can be anysuitable shape and/or size. In some implementations, the boundaries ofthe first proximity zone can be determined based at least in part on anantenna beam pattern associated with the user device.

At (306), method (300) can include providing for display presentationdata corresponding to a presentation mode of the user interface. Theuser device can operate in the presentation mode while the controlarticle is present in the first proximity zone. For instance, thepresentation data can be displayed in response to detecting the presenceof the control article in the first proximity zone. The presentationdata can include data associated with a currently running application onthe user device. The presentation data can be non-interactive data. Insome implementations, the presentation data can be displayed for theduration of the time that the control article is present in the firstproximity zone. In some implementations, the user device will not detector respond to control gestures performed by the control article whileoperating in the presentation mode.

At (308), method (300) can include detecting a presence of the controlarticle in a second proximity zone proximate the user device. The secondproximity zone can be included within the proximity zone configuration.In some implementations the proximity zone configuration can bepredetermined. The second proximity zone can separate the user deviceand the first proximity zone. For instance, the second proximity zonecan be an area or region adjacent to the user device, and can extendoutward from the user device in one or more directions. The firstproximity zone can be adjacent to the second proximity zone and canextend outward from the first proximity zone in one or more directions.The first and second proximity zones can be separated by one or moreboundaries or thresholds.

At (310), method (300) can include providing for display interactivedata corresponding to an interactive mode of the user interface. Theuser device can operate in the interactive mode while the controlarticle is located in the second proximity zone. For instance, theinteractive data can be displayed in response to detecting the presenceof the control article in the second proximity zone. For instance, theinteractive data can include data associated with one or moreapplications installed on or otherwise associated with the user device.While operating in the interactive mode, the user device can beconfigured to interact with a user (e.g. via performed controlgestures).

At (312), method (300) can include initiating monitoring for controlgestures. For instance, the user device can track the control articleand determine a motion profile associated with the control article. Asindicated, determining the motion profile can include determiningvelocity data, location data (e.g. spatial coordinates, radial distancefrom user device, etc.), and/or other data during one or more timeperiods. The motion profile can be compared against a set ofpredetermined control gestures to determine a match (or a sufficientmatch) between a movement pattern of the control article and a controlgesture from the predetermined set of control gestures.

At (314), method (300) can include determining a performance of acontrol gesture by the control article while the control article islocated in the second proximity zone. At (316), method (300) can includeperforming one or more actions based at least in part on the determinedcontrol gesture. For instance, each control gesture of the set ofcontrol gestures can have a corresponding one or more actions that areto be performed by the user device in response to a detection of aperformance of the control gesture by the control article. In someimplementations, the one or more actions can correspond to userinterface control actions, such as scrolling, selecting, zooming, etc.within the user interface. For instance, the user interface controlactions can be contextual actions based at least in part on a currentstatus of the user interface.

As indicated above, in some implementations, the first and/or secondproximity zones may include one or more subzones located within thefirst and/or second proximity zone. Detection of the control articlewithin the subzones can trigger display of data by the user device. Forinstance, FIG. 10 depicts a flow diagram of an example method (400) ofproviding for display first and second presentation data according toexample embodiments of the present disclosure. Method (400) can beimplemented by one or more computing devices, such as one or more of thecomputing devices depicted in FIG. 12 . In addition, FIG. 10 depictssteps performed in a particular order for purposes of illustration anddiscussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosuresprovided herein, will understand that the steps of any of the methodsdiscussed herein can be adapted, rearranged, expanded, omitted, ormodified in various ways without deviating from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

At (402), method (400) can include detecting a presence of the controlarticle in a first subzone within a proximity zone. As indicated, thefirst subzone can be a region or area defining a portion of theproximity zone. In this manner, the first subzone can be located withinthe proximity zone. In some implementations, the first subzone can be asubzone that is farthest away from the user device within the proximityzone.

At (404), method (400) can include providing for display firstpresentation data. The first presentation data can be provided fordisplay in response to a detection of the presence of the controlarticle in the first subzone. As indicated above, the first presentationdata can correspond to a presentation mode associated with the userinterface associated with the user device. In some implementations, thefirst presentation data can include a first subset of the presentationdata to be displayed in association with the presentation mode. Forinstance, the first presentation data can include data associated withan application currently running on the user device.

At (406), method (400) can include detecting a presence of the controlarticle in a second subzone within the proximity zone. The secondsubzone can define a separate region or area within the proximity zonefrom the first subzone. In some implementations, the first and secondsubzones can be adjacent subzones. In some implementations, the secondsubzone can be closer to the user device than the first subzone.

At (408), method (400) can include providing for display secondpresentation data. The second presentation data can be provided fordisplay in response to a detection of the presence of the controlarticle in the second subzone. In some implementations, the secondpresentation data can include a second subset of the presentation datato be displayed in association with the presentation mode. For instance,the second presentation data can include additional or different dataassociated with the currently running application from the firstpresentation data. The second presentation data can be displayed inaddition to the first presentation data or as a replacement to the firstpresentation data.

It some implementations, one or more additional subzones (e.g. thirdsubzone, fourth subzone, etc.) can be used to trigger the display ofaddition presentation data (third presentation data, fourth presentationdata, etc.). In some implementations, distance thresholds within theproximity zone can be used to trigger display of the variouspresentation data (e.g. first presentation data second presentationdata, etc.). In such implementations, the proximity zones can correspondto an area or region between the distance thresholds.

FIG. 11 depicts an example control gesture set 440 according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure. As shown, the control gesture set440 includes a plurality of control gestures that can be performed by arepresentative control article 442 (e.g. human hand). In particular,control gesture set 440 includes a virtual dial control gesture and avirtual button control gesture. In some implementations, the controlgesture set can include one or more additional control gestures, such asa double virtual button control gesture, a shake control gesture, a longshake control gesture, and/or other suitable control gestures.

As shown, the control gestures in control gesture set 440 each include amotion component by the control article. For instance, the virtual dialcontrol gesture can include a rotation of a thumb and finger of a humanhand to mimic a turning of a dial or knob. As another example, thevirtual button control gesture can include a movement of the thumb or afinger towards each other to mimic the pressing of a button. In thismanner, a double virtual tap motion can include such motion twice in arow to mimic a double press of a button. As yet another example, a shakecontrol gesture can include a motion of one or more fingers in a backand forth motion to mimic a shaking motion. In this manner, a long shakecontrol gesture can include a longer back and forth motion of the one ormore fingers to mimic a longer shaking motion.

As indicated above, when a user computing device (e.g. smartwatch)according to example embodiments of the present disclosure detects aperformance of a control gesture included in control gesture set 440 bya suitable control article (e.g. a hand of a user proximate the usercomputing device), the user computing device can perform one or moreactions. In particular, the control gestures in control gesture set 440can be mapped to one or more actions to be performed in response todetection of a control gesture in control gesture set by a controlarticle. Such actions can be contextual user interface control actions.

As an example, the virtual dial control gesture can be mapped to anaction associated with a navigation through the user interface. Thenavigation can be dependent on a current context of the user interface.As an example, when the user interface is displaying displayconfiguration 228 of FIG. 8 , a detection of a performance of thevirtual dial control gesture can cause the user device to cycle orscroll through complications (e.g. application icons 205, 218, 220)displayed on the user interface. As another example, when the userinterface is displaying display configuration 224, a detection of aperformance of the virtual dial control gesture can cause the userdevice to cycle or scroll through messages within the messagingapplication. The virtual dial control gesture can be a bidirectionalcontrol gesture. In this manner, a rotation of a thumb and finger in afirst direction (e.g. clockwise) can cause a navigation (e.g. scroll) ina first direction, and a rotation of a thumb and finger in a seconddirection (e.g. counter-clockwise) can cause a navigation (e.g. scroll)in a second direction.

The virtual button control gesture can be mapped to a selection actionassociated with the user interface. For instance, a detection of aperformance of the virtual button control gesture can cause the userdevice to open an application installed on the user device. As anexample, when the user interface is displaying display configuration216, a detection of a performance of the virtual button control gesturecan cause the user device to open the messaging application associatedwith application icon 205. In this manner, a more detailed view of themessaging application can be displayed, such as the view displayed indisplay configuration 224. In some implementations, if the selectedapplication (e.g. in response to a detection of a performance of thevirtual button control gesture) is not running at the time of theselection, the virtual button control gesture can cause the selectedapplication to run on the user device. For instance, when displayconfiguration 228 is being displayed on the user interface, a detectionof a performance of the virtual button control gesture can cause theweather application associated with application icon 218 to run on theuser device. The virtual button control gesture can further cause theuser interface to open a more detailed view of the weather application.As indicated, once the more detailed view of the weather application isdisplayed, the control gestures associated with control gesture set 440can be used to control the user interface within the weatherapplication.

FIG. 12 depicts an example computing system 500 that can be used toimplement the methods and systems according to example aspects of thepresent disclosure. The system 500 can be implemented using a singlecomputing device, or the system 500 can be implemented using aclient-server architecture wherein a user computing device communicateswith one or more remote computing devices 530 over a network 540. Thesystem 500 can be implemented using other suitable architectures.

As indicated, the system 500 includes user computing device 510. Theuser computing device 510 can be any suitable type of computing device,such as a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, speakerdevice, laptop, desktop, mobile device, navigation system, smartphone,tablet, wearable computing device, a display with one or moreprocessors, or other suitable computing device. The user computingdevice 510 can have one or more processors 512 and one or more memorydevices 514. The user computing device 510 can also include a networkinterface used to communicate with one or more remote computing devices530 over the network 540. The network interface can include any suitablecomponents for interfacing with one more networks, including forexample, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or othersuitable components.

The one or more processors 512 can include any suitable processingdevice, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, integrated circuit,logic device, graphics processing unit (GPU) dedicated to efficientlyrendering images or performing other specialized calculations, or othersuitable processing device. The one or more memory devices 514 caninclude one or more computer-readable media, including, but not limitedto, non-transitory computer-readable media, RAM, ROM, hard drives, flashdrives, or other memory devices. The one or more memory devices 514 canstore information accessible by the one or more processors 512,including computer-readable instructions 516 that can be executed by theone or more processors 512. The instructions 516 can be any set ofinstructions that when executed by the one or more processors 512, causethe one or more processors 512 to perform operations. For instance, theinstructions 516 can be executed by the one or more processors 512 toimplement, for instance, the sensing module 106, gesture manager 108,interface manager 110, and/or motion tracker 112 described withreference to FIG. 1 .

As shown in FIG. 12 , the one or more memory devices 514 can also storedata 518 that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by theone or more processors 512. The data 518 can include, for instance,gesture data 114 motion profile data determined according to exampleembodiments of the present disclosure, and other data. The data 518 canbe stored in one or more databases. In various implementations, the oneor more databases can be implemented within user computing device 510,connected to the user computing device 510 by a high bandwidth LAN orWAN, and/or connected to user computing device 510 through network 540.The one or more databases can be split up so that they are located inmultiple locales.

The user computing device 510 of FIG. 12 can include variousinput/output devices for providing and receiving information from auser, such as a touch screen, touch pad, data entry keys, speakers,and/or a microphone suitable for voice recognition. For instance, theuser computing device 510 can have a display device 515 for presenting auser interface for displaying application data according to exampleaspects of the present disclosure.

The user computing device 510 can exchange data with one or more remotecomputing devices 530 over the network 540. In some implementations, aremote computing device 530 can be server, such as a web server.Although only two remote computing devices 530 are illustrated in FIG.12 , any number of remote computing devices 530 can be connected to theuser computing device 510 over the network 540.

The remote computing device(s) 530 can be implemented using any suitablecomputing device(s). Similar to the user computing device 510, a remotecomputing device 530 can include one or more processor(s) 532 and amemory 534. The one or more processor(s) 532 can include one or morecentral processing units (CPUs), and/or other processing devices. Thememory 534 can include one or more computer-readable media and can storeinformation accessible by the one or more processors 532, includinginstructions 536 that can be executed by the one or more processors 532and data 538.

The remote computing device 530 can also include a network interfaceused to communicate with one or more remote computing devices (e.g. usercomputing device 510) over the network 540. The network interface caninclude any suitable components for interfacing with one more networks,including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers,antennas, or other suitable components.

The network 540 can be any type of communications network, such as alocal area network (e.g. intranet), wide area network (e.g. Internet),cellular network, or some combination thereof. The network 540 can alsoinclude a direct connection between a remote computing device 530 andthe user computing device 510. In general, communication between theuser computing device 510 and a remote computing device 530 can becarried via network interface using any type of wired and/or wirelessconnection, using a variety of communication protocols (e.g. TCP/IP,HTTP, SMTP, FTP), encodings or formats (e.g. HTML, XML), and/orprotection schemes (e.g. VPN, secure HTTP, SSL).

The technology discussed herein makes reference to servers, databases,software applications, and other computer-based systems, as well asactions taken and information sent to and from such systems. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibilityof computer-based systems allows for a great variety of possibleconfigurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functionalitybetween and among components. For instance, server processes discussedherein may be implemented using a single server or multiple serversworking in combination. Databases and applications may be implemented ona single system or distributed across multiple systems. Distributedcomponents may operate sequentially or in parallel.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific example embodiments thereof, it will be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, andthe subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computing device comprising: a radar moduleconfigured to detect a presence of a control article in a firstproximity zone and a second proximity zone proximate the computingdevice, the second proximity zone: defining a separate physical areathan the first proximity zone; being adjacent to the first proximityzone; and separating the first proximity zone and the computing device;at least one processor; and at least one memory device storingcomputer-readable instructions that, when executed by the at least oneprocessor causes the at least one processor to perform operationscomprising: responsive to receiving a first indication that the controlarticle is in the first proximity zone, causing the computing device toenter a presentation mode, the presentation mode configured to cause auser interface associated with the computing device to display one ormore presentation user interface elements; responsive to receiving asecond indication that the control article is in the second proximityzone, causing the computing device to enter an interactive mode, theinteractive mode configured to cause the user interface associated withthe computing device to display one or more interactive user interfaceelements and remove at least one of the presentation user interfaceelements; and removing at least one of the non-interactive userinterface elements or at least one of the interactive user interfaceelements, the removing responsive to: a removal of the control articlefrom the first proximity zone or the second proximity zone; ordetermining, based on at least one of a motion profile of the controlarticle or a duration of time that the control article is detected inthe first proximity zone or the second proximity zone, that a movementpattern indicates an unintentional interaction.
 2. The computing deviceof claim 1, wherein the non-interactive user interface elements aredetermined based on a location of the control article within the firstproximity zone.
 3. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the userinterface elements are determined based at least in part on a currentlyrunning application associated with the computing device.
 4. Thecomputing device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise,responsive to not detecting the presence of the control article in thefirst or second proximity zone, causing display of a standby mode of theuser interface, the standby mode comprising one or more standby userinterface elements without at least one of the non-interactive userinterface elements and without at least one of the interactive userinterface elements.
 5. The computing device of claim 4, wherein at leastone of the standby user interface elements is a clock face or timedisplay.
 6. The computing device of claim 1, wherein the operationsfurther comprise, responsive to detecting the presence of the controlarticle in the second proximity zone, monitoring, via the radar module,for a performance of a control gesture by the control article.
 7. Thecomputing device of claim 6, wherein the monitoring comprises:determining, via the radar module, movement patterns associated with thecontrol article; and comparing the movement patterns to one or morepredetermined control gestures.
 8. The computing device of claim 7,wherein the operations further comprise: determining, via the radarmodule, a control gesture performed by the control article while thecontrol article is located in the second proximity zone; and performingat least one action based at least in part on the determined controlgesture.
 9. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the at least oneaction comprises a control action associated with at least one of theinteractive user interface elements.
 10. The computing device of claim9, wherein: the at least one interactive user interface element is oneof a plurality of interactive user interface elements corresponding torespective applications; and the control action scrolls through theinteractive user interface elements.
 11. A computer-implemented methodcomprising: responsive to receiving a first indication that a controlarticle is in a first proximity zone, causing a computing device toenter a presentation mode, the presentation mode configured to cause auser interface associated with the computing device to display one ormore presentation user interface elements; responsive to receiving asecond indication that the control article is in a second proximityzone, causing the computing device to enter an interactive mode, theinteractive mode configured to cause the user interface associated withthe computing device to display one or more interactive user interfaceelements and remove at least one of the presentation user interfaceelements; and removing at least one of the non-interactive userinterface elements or at least one of the interactive user interfaceelements, the removing responsive to: a removal of the control articlefrom the first proximity zone or the second proximity zone; ordetermining, based on at least one of a motion profile of the controlarticle or a duration of time that the control article is detected inthe first proximity zone or the second proximity zone, that a movementpattern indicates an unintentional interaction.
 12. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the non-interactiveuser interface elements are determined based on a location of thecontrol article within the first proximity zone.
 13. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein the user interfaceelements are determined based at least in part on a currently runningapplication associated with the computing device.
 14. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising, responsiveto not detecting the presence of the control article in the first orsecond proximity zone, causing display, by the computing device, of astandby mode of the user interface, the standby mode comprising one ormore standby user interface elements without at least one of thenon-interactive user interface elements and without at least one of theinteractive user interface elements.
 15. The computer-implemented methodof claim 14, wherein at least one of the standby user interface elementsis a clock face or time display.
 16. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 11, further comprising, responsive to detecting the presence ofthe control article in the second proximity zone, monitoring, via theradar module of the computing device, for a performance of a controlgesture by the control article.
 17. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 16, wherein the monitoring comprises: determining, via the radarmodule of the computing device, movement patterns associated with thecontrol article; and comparing, by the computing device, the movementpatterns to one or more predetermined control gestures.
 18. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 17, further comprising:determining, via the radar module of the computing device, a controlgesture performed by the control article while the control article islocated in the second proximity zone; and performing, by the computingdevice, at least one action based at least in part on the determinedcontrol gesture.
 19. The computer-implemented method of claim 18,wherein the at least one action comprises a control action associatedwith at least one of the interactive user interface elements.
 20. Thecomputer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein: the at least oneinteractive user interface element is one of a plurality of interactiveuser interface elements corresponding to respective applications; andthe control action scrolls through the interactive user interfaceelements.